Philadelphia, PA – A native and resident of Philadelphia, who reached out to a young girl by providing friendship and positive encouragement through the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program was honored today as a national Hero In Our Midst.

     Brenda Taylor, an associate school superintendent with the School District of Philadelphia, received a bronze Heroes In Our Midst medallion and a ceremonial check for $1,000 to be donated in her name to the local Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) agency to support the efforts of others like Taylor, who are giving back to their communities.

     Taylor’s “Little Sister” Demetra Davis, a freshman at Bodine High School, has been matched for almost two years with Taylor through BBBS’s community-based Amachi program, which pairs faith community members with children of incarcerated parents. Taylor is a member of Bright Hope Baptist, where she heard about the mentoring program.

     Taylor received the Heroes In Our Midst medallion during a press conference at the new Philadelphia School District Building this morning, where she was presented with the Heroes In Our Midst medallion and ceremonial check.

     Upon accepting the award, Davis asked area residents to send a greeting card or note of appreciation to her "Big Sister" to call attention to and encourage community heroes like Taylor. Davis says her goal is to tap the compassion of residents in the Delaware Valley area and generate hundreds of cards expressing appreciation for her role model and friend. Cards should be addressed to:

     Brenda Taylor
     Heroes In Our Midst
     123 S. Broad Street, Suite 2180
     Philadelphia, PA 19109

     Through Taylor’s mentoring efforts, the teenager says she has seen that “anything is possible.” Davis’ grades have improved, she is now on the honor roll, and Taylor has become her biggest advocate, confidant and friend. “Ms. Brenda is someone I can go to who will just listen to me and not judge me,” says Davis.

     Heroes In Our Midst is a nationwide initiative of the Greeting Card Association. The program is designed to recognize the everyday heroes of America’s communities who are reaching out to make a positive impact in the lives of others, and to inspire others to follow their example. Campaign officials say they hope area residents will be inspired not only to send a card to Taylor, but to become everyday heroes themselves, by reaching out to others through the type of personal interaction and caring that brings people and communities together.

     To learn more about Heroes In Our Midst and its goal of encouraging and recognizing America’s everyday heroes, visit www.HeroesInOurMidst.org.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the U.S. It has been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact of the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves 240,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in all 50 states. The national offices are located in Philadelphia. To volunteer or donate, visit www.bbbsa.org.

The Greeting Card Association, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents nearly 300 U.S. and international greeting card publishers and suppliers. It is dedicated to celebrating, promoting and preserving the tradition and cultural values of exchanging greeting cards.